Even in one of the cheapest parts of London, people are still being driven away by the immense cost, locals have claimed.

Ozzie Osman, owner takeaway shop The Big Fry in Barking and Dagenham, said people move “100 miles away” because even in such a cheap part of the city, property prices are too much.

Mr Osman said although he hasn’t seen too many changes in the area, a lot of his customers have moved out and up to Lincolnshire because it’s more affordable.

He told MyLondon: “There’s not been too much change, a lot of people have moved away now – a lot of people.

“People are struggling, a lot of people are struggling so it’s not nice to see but what can you say.”

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Mr Osman added: “A lot of people are moving to Lincolnshire, they’re buying 4-bed semi-detached houses for £200,000. [Lincolnshire] is a nice area.”

The cost of living has also meant business has been slow for the takeaway owner’s shop, which is found on Lodge Avenue just a few minutes away from the A13 out of London.

He explained: “Our customers are pretty much regulars and some are new, but this year’s been a bit slow. [The cost of living] has killed me big time, it’s killed businesses.

“We used to have a little bit of money at the end of the month but now you don’t, that’s the problem, you don’t know when you’re next going to have £30 or £40 to do whatever you want.”

According to research carried out by Zoopla this month, Barking is the fourth cheapest area in London to buy a home out of 13 neighbourhoods.

It has an average house prices of £370,000.

The property agency said that Barking has 3-bed homes ranging from £350,000 to £575,000 and are a mix of Victorian, Edwardian and new-builds.

Plumstead was the cheapest area overall, with an average house price of £214,000.

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Gary Pridmore, the owner of local estate agents, Longbridge Estates, said people were moving away partly due to stagnant wages that could not keep up with London prices.

He said: “If I want to go where I have a back garden and I can walk to school, that will predominantly now be outside the M25 because there’s so much pressure within the M25 to ensure it ticks boxes.

“If you haven’t got a dog, if you haven’t got children and if you don’t mind, you can compromise and live within London but you’re on the 12th floor of a flat.”

Mr Pridmore added: “If you moved in five years ago, the chances are your lifestyle has changed; you’ve now got a partner, you’ve now got two cars, you’ve now got a dog and you’re now pregnant, so can you now afford to live in the same area but you need a much larger property? No.”

In 2017 Barking and Dagenham Council launched its regeneration arm, Be First.

Alongside that it revealed an ambitious housing project, which promises that by the end of 2037 there will be 50,000 new homes built in the borough with a huge focus on affordable homes including social housing, intermediate rent and shared ownership.

The council said in housing plans in 2020 that the 50,000 new homes plan to meet housing need for a growing population.

It added the borough will remain “a place where working Londoners can afford to put down roots, raise their family and grow old in dignity”.

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